Tests and diagnosis

If your doctor has referred you for heart tests, you can take care of all of your tests at Edward-Elmhurst Health. We’ll make you comfortable, explain what to expect and provide your doctor with timely, reliable results.

Tests for heart disease and cardiovascular conditions

Accurate diagnoses depend on the right tools in the hands of highly-trained specialists. We invest in the latest technology to provide the clearest picture of your heart and blood vessels.

Cardiac catheterization

Our state-of-the-art cath labs play a key role in our ability to diagnose and treat heart problems in record time. During cardiac catheterization, a thin flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in the groin or arm and threaded into the heart. Colorless “dye” is injected into the heart, and images are taken to reveal blockages or other heart abnormalities. Catheterization is used during a variety of procedures, including electrophysiology studies and angiography.

Cardiac catheterization also saves lives. If a blockage is detected, a cardiologist can open the blocked vessel with a balloon in a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) called angioplasty. We consistently perform better than the national time standard for this intervention—often called “door-to-balloon” time—and every minute counts when it comes to the health of the heart muscle.